• The U.S. economy is growing! America is spending money again! According to Commerce Department reports, “growth rose to an annual rate of 3.2 percent,” up from 2.6 percent previously. [NPR]

• 25 years ago today, on January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just after lift off. CNN has video of the tragedy, which is no less heart-wrenching today than it was when this blogger was in elementary school as it was broadcast on live TV. [CNN, PC Mag]